The “Apéroffs’ Happy Hour” the popular 5-à-7 series returns for a third
year at the Résonance Café; a smorgasbord of jazz that runs the gamut from
world-inspired to modern. Come and discover the next generation of Montreal’s
jazz scene.

On October 2,3,7,8 and 9 at 10:30pm, for
those night-owls among us, a nightcap at the Café Résonance will be presented.
The line-up promises to be creatively dynamic and filled with the intoxicating
spirits of freedom and adventure.

This year the operative words are again
quality, creativity and free expression; a veritable banquet (including three
launches) for those who love jazz for 10 days in October.

“Dans la Forêt des Mémoires” is a complex seven-part suite
that shows, once again, the composer’s ability to create serious pieces with a
strong foundation of jazz but with appropriate ingredients from a wide variety
of other influences such as classical, improvisational, world music and
contemporary. The results have always been highly inspired, original and
organically lively. Marianne gave ample room for many of the key musicians of
ONJM to shine on the solos. There were many moments throughout that gave me
impression that I was in an actual forest.There were alternating moments of quiet solitude followed by hurried stressful
moments. The CD is available at this link (http://www.amazon.com/foret-m%C3%A9moire-Orchestre-national-Montr%C3%A9al/dp/B00X6EA7EG)
and at any other fine music stores.

I didn’t stay for
second part of concert which featured original compositions by special guests
plus other noted female composers.

An intimate
conversation in the language of music took place between two close friends. Six
pieces (the first four of which were standards, the last two – original compositions
by Marc) were performed. Their combined playing clearly shows their conversational
link to each other; especially evident in their interpretation of Joni Mitchell’s
song “Rainy Night House.”

With
this exciting program of ancient Chinese rural traditions fused with 21st
century Western culture, Yannick Rieu has successfully accomplished what would
seem to be an improbable task. He enhanced samples of simple Chinese traditional
music with contemporary urban jazz fusion to produce a homogenous and harmonious
blend that not only brought out the diversity of Chinese culture (there are
over 56 ethnic groups, each with their own cultural customs) but also the universality
of the language of music. A highlight of the evening was a gorgeous duet
between Yannick and Jean-Sébsastien.

A two-hour master class, in which aspiring musicians (open to any
discipline regardless of level of ability) explored the different tools
regarding melodic structure, rhythmic expression, and group interaction. Guitarist/improviser
Joe Morris guided the class through the four major musical philosophies and methodologies
of free music – describing pitch, harmony, melody and structure. The four
schools of thought are:

Harmolodics – Ornette Coleman – pitch is
accented

Unit Structures – Cecil Taylor – pulse is
implied

Tri-Axiom Theory – Anthony Braxton – flat plus

European Free Improvisation– no pulse – explores sounds

Each participant had to bring their own instrument. Though I was the
only non-musician there, I found this workshop helpful in increasing my
appreciation for this musical discipline. Having an understanding of what the creator
of artistic expression in any field – helps a great deal in appreciating the
work’s artistic value.

"You Make Me Feel so Young" is Karen Young’s first release
since 2009 and is a very pleasurable rediscovery of old standards from all
genres of music. Her exquisite silky voice was backed instrumentally by two of
Montreal’s most versatile musicians. Both Sylvain and Normand had an opportunity
to show this in their respective solos mostly improvised. The trio has been
performing together since 2009 and this showed in the chemistry between them. Last
night’s concert at the intimate and acoustically spectacular MDC CDN venue
consisted of all the songs from the CD plus a couple of other tasty morsels.

Concert consisted of
four pieces – a solo performed on guitar by Joe Morris ; the second
performed by GGRIL(‘Jeux de Cartes’ composed by group leader and bass player Éric
Normand; GGRIL plus Joe; (and lastly) a piece specially composed for GGRIL
inspired by a Shakespearian sonnet and a tribute to a friend of the composer stricken
with cancer. The composer began by reciting the sonnet.

GGRIL is a large
ensemble based in Rimouski, Quebec whose motto is “A post structuralists village
band.” They were founded nearly ten years ago by electric bassist Éric Normand
and specialize in non-linear compositions and improvisations. They have collaborated
with many world-renowned composers and artists such as Evan Parker, Lori
Friedman, Jean Derome and many others.

Each piece performed
was different yet also groundbreaking and adventurous. The group pieces highlighted
the ensemble colorful and eclectic instrumentation – electric guitars and bass
guitar, strings, drums and percussion, horns and woodwinds, and finally an accordionist.
The most remarkable aspect of Joe’s piece was that his guitar playing often
sounded like a string quartet. With ‘Jeux de Cartes’ each member of the
ensemble would first throw down a card and subsequently improvise – the clarinetist
ended up with one card left but she was able to sneak in a couple of sounds
before the break. After the break the ensemble returned accompanied by Joe Morris. The
final piece was very bipolar containing many sections of sheer beauty and
others of frenetic energy – it occupied the ‘common grounds’ between classical
and rock.

Lyrical minimalist melodies that recall the beginnings of jazz fusion, the
common ground between jazz and rock music as developed by seminal artists such
as the Dutch group Focus (Mireille’s vocalizations reminded me of those of Thijs
van Leer) and 70s era Miles Davis. Joel’s compositions were seamlessly
structured with a simplistically haunting beauty that was accentuated by Mireille’s
angelic voice, Andrew’s faultless melodic lines, Kenny’s spacey guitar and Mark’s
rhythmic rock-influenced timing. The last piece played was a jazzed arrangement
of a 70s guitar-based rock classic. Kenny
Bibace’s interpretation was highly original yet recognizable.

Jean and Miroslav
first met in 1986 and their album “Nouvelle Cuisine” was released in 1987.
Since then, they have kept in touch, playing the occasional concert together.
Last night’s concert was a smorgasbord of various compositions and a few
improvisations that they have shared over the past 30 years. The music was
often playful, energetic and full of nuances. As the name of the concert – “Terre
et Air” – implies the sounds from each artist though completely different in
their sound and timbre, they are completely complimentary to each other. Both
artists played solo – first Jean then Miroslav. They played one track from “Nouvelle
Cuisine” – “Comme en Prison” (brought back memories of my heyday of record
collecting).

Nancy's Books are sold on Kindle or you can email her at hovecreekproductions@gmail.com

Beyond the Dream: Epic Solitude - Nancy's collection of Poetry & short stories. Contact hovecreekproductions@gmail.com or Click on image to read article. Here is the link to Martin Barry's article: http://martincbarry.weebly.com. Book is also available on Amazon Kindle

To purchase Nancy Snipper's books on Kindle,

Nancy Snipper's CDs available

Nancy Snipper is also an accomplished singer/songwriter – banjo player and classical pianist. Her three CDs have garnered much media praise along with her performances (Canada, Mexico, Cuba). Her voice is astoundingly beautiful – velvety in her blues numbers, sensual and sizzling in her folk, rock and country compositions. Now you can own one of her CDs. For enquiries about owning her CDs and/or booking performances contact her at this email: hovecreekproductions@gmail.com. Her CDs help raise money for cancer research.

Add This Smart Layers

AddThis

Translate

Collaborators / Collaborateurs:

Sylvain Richard

Nancy Snipper

Note / Nota:

July 10, 2016:The beginning of a new and exciting chapter! Nancy Snipper's (a.k.a S.N.) first posting on her own blog: http://sntravelandartswithoutborders.blogspot.ca/**********************************************To see all articles on a specific topic, scroll down to LABELS and click on desired LABEL. Full articles will appear one after the other that pertain to that label.Keep scrolling down to view more articles, and at end of page, click on OLDER POSTS to read more.Enjoy!